Abbott says constitutional amendment needed

By The Associated Press

Posted:
05/09/2013 11:50:16 AM CDT

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Texas Attorney Greg Abbott is advising lawmakers that they likely need a constitutional amendment to use $2 billion from the state's Rainy Day Fund for water projects if they want to stay within a constitutional spending cap.

Abbott sent a letter to House Appropriations Chairman Rep. Jim Pitts, advising that without a constitutional amendment, any money pulled from the fund would count against the spending cap.

Lawmakers say they agree the state needs to spend billions on water projects but are divided on how to pay for it.

The Senate plan would ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment to use the Rainy Day Fund money. The House has been reluctant to do that.